Eight week ban rules Wallabies lock out of Tour

Wallabies lock Rob Simmons will miss the rest of Australia's Autumn Internationals after he was slapped with an eight week ban for a dangerous tip tackle.

The incident occured in Australia's 33-6 loss to France in Paris last weekend.

Simmons appeared before the independent IRB-appointed Judicial Officer, Robert Williams (Wales) and after being viewed the incident from various angles and listened to representations by the player, his Coach, team Manager and legal representative he was given the ban.

From the high end entry point of twelve weeks, the Judicial Officer added two weeks of aggravation to reflect the need for a deterrent for this type of dangerous tackle but allowed the maximum 6 weeks of mitigation, including the player's exemplary previous disciplinary record and his conduct at the hearing.

A sanction of 8 weeks was duly imposed with Rob Simmons suspended until midnight on 24 February 2013. The specific period of suspension recognises the close season inactivity after the current tour when the player is not scheduled to play.

Simmons has the right to appeal the ban which means he will miss Saturday's test against England at Twickenham, as well as the internationals against Italy and Wales.